Description

‘Wondering and wonderful. The nature book of the year.’ JOHN LEWIS-STEMPEL

‘This lovely book is almost as thrilling as the bird’s immortal song – balm for a troubled soul and a glimpse of paradise.’ JOANNA LUMLEY
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Come to the forest, sit by the fireside and listen to intoxicating song, as Sam Lee tells the story of the nightingale.

Every year, as darkness falls upon woodlands, the nightingale heralds the arrival of Spring. Throughout history, its sweet song has inspired musicians, writers and artists around the world, from Germany, France and Italy to Greece, Ukraine and Korea.

Here, passionate conservationist, renowned musician and folk expert Sam Lee tells the story of the nightingale. This book reveals in beautiful detail the bird’s song, habitat, characteristics and migration patterns, as well as the environmental issues that threaten its livelihood.

From Greek mythology to John Keats, to Persian poetry and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’, Lee delves into the various ways we have celebrated the nightingale through traditions, folklore, music, literature, from ancient history to the present day. The Nightingale is a unique and lyrical portrait of a famed yet elusive songbird.
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‘Sam Lee has brought the poetic magic that has long enchanted so many of his musical fans into the written word. Allow yourself to glimpse the world Sam sees, to be part of his love affair with the nightingale, and you will no doubt be delighted.’ LILY COLE

‘A wonderful book.’ STEPHEN MOSS

‘A magical marriage of the lyrical and practical: a book that makes us want to seek out the nightingale and then reveals how we can.’ TRISTAN GOOLEY

Publisher Review

This captivating miscellany, richly illustrated with paintings, photographs, maps and line drawings, is a scintillating celebration of the nightingale by a Mercury Prize-nominated folk musician, environmental activist and conservationist. -- Caroline Sanderson * Bookseller, Editor's Choice * Sam Lee has brought the poetic magic that has long enchanted so many of his musical fans into the written word. Allow yourself to glimpse the world Sam sees, to be part of his love affair with the nightingale, and you will no doubt be delighted. -- Lily Cole Truly enchanting. Sam Lee takes the reader by an emotional hand and leads them through the labyrinth of poetry and song to elucidate humans' everlasting attachment to the nightingale. -- Roger Phillips A wonderful book. -- Stephen Moss Wondering and wonderful. The nature book of the year.